Advice for being on the Road

I have embarked on my first national tour and I can say is that there is no preparation for this kind of work. You prepare for the singing, the acting, but no one tells you about the cramped dressing rooms, the behind-the-scenes intrigue or the bus bathroom that smells like something the cat just covered up in its litter box. Nonetheless, I have to express a sheer joy at being an employed singer singing one of the great American operas.

Traveling with a cast of 30, an orchestra of 18, a company manager and performing a show every night can wear a person down and cause a person to act in a "crazy" way. So in an attempt to give some insight into how to survive a national tour, here are five simple rules:

1) Be on time. If you are late, it shows that you think your time is more important than everyone else and makes you look like a jerk. In the event that you are late, apologize to your colleagues as it lets them know that you are aware that you have wasted their time.

2) Keep your complaining to a minimum. Nothing is less attractive to your colleagues and those in power than someone who has a complaint about everything. Of course we want everything to be "perfect," but the reality is that sometimes things don't work out. Unless it is specifically your job, know that the tour manager will work out the issue and it's your job to be rested and prepared to perform. Also, people who tend to complain and complain tend not to get rehired. Don't let your constant complaining be the "audition aria" that keeps you from getting the job.

3) Remember why you are on the road. I sometimes see singers forget that the tour is a job and the expectation is that you deliver the expected product. We are singers first and everything else second. It's important to be rested, prepared and focused. If someone is paying you to sing, then the expectation is that you will sing (and sing well!)

4) On days off, do something fun. Tours can be grueling, so it's necessary to have some fun. Go to a movie, get a great meal, have a drink with your colleagues or lay in bed and watch TV, eat ice-cream and clip your toenails. Whatever it is that you enjoy.

5) Be grateful. If you are fortunate enough to get a job singing, remember to be grateful as there are hundreds of singers who would kill for this experience.

By following these simple rules, the national tour will be a fun, festive experience that keeps a smile on your smile and a song in your heart.

Peace,
Eric